(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS are champions of the inaugural Philson Classic pre-season women’s volleyball tournament.
In a battle of Atlantic University Sport rivals, UNB’s red side beat the Dalhousie Tigers 3-1 in Sunday’s championship game. The REDS won 21-25, 25-22, 25-21, and 25-22.
“It’s an exciting win for us in the pre-season,” said REDS’ head coach Lauren Hale-Miller. “We see Dal the second weekend of the regular season, so having that confidence and knowing we can play with them and be on top is really good for us.”
UNB split its team for the tournament, fielding Red and Black teams in the two-pool preliminary round.
UNB’s black side went 1-and-2 in pool play and fell to Alberta-Augustana in the 5th place game.
UNB’s red team was 3-and-0 in pool play and beat the UQTR Patriotes in Saturday’s semi-finals, earning their spot in the tournament championship.
The REDS Talia Nixon was named tournament MVP while teammates Heather Benko and Jenna Adams were named tournament All-Stars. All three received awards former UNB student-athlete and coach Sonny Phillips, the president of the tournament’s title sponsor, Philson Limited.
“It was special to have Sonny here,” said Coach Hale-Miller. “He’s a huge supporter of our program and the REDS and just having him here and him supporting this tournament was huge. We’re excited he was here and that we were able to win on home court for him today.”
UQTR rallied from down 2-1 to beat Acadia 3-2 in the 3rd place match
The REDS will wrap up their exhibition season on Saturday when they visit UNB Saint John to take on the Seawolves. Game time is 2:00pm.
“I have a lot of valuable information going into next week and the weeks leading up to the regular season, and we get to go back and start planning what we need to crisp up before we get into the season,” said Hale-Miller.
UNB opens their 2025-2026 AUS regular season on Saturday, October 25th, in Moncton. First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm.
The Tigers return to the Richard J. Currie Center on Friday, October 31st to provide the opposition for the REDS home opener. Game time is 6:00pm.
STORY AND PHOTO: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS